No Kickoff Return Touchdowns in NFL Season So Far

As the 2026 NFL season reaches its fourth week, there have been no kickoff return touchdowns recorded. The longest return so far was a 79-yarder by Jaylen Wright of Miami, who was stopped at the 18-yard line during a game against Las Vegas in Week 1.

This lack of touchdowns continues a trend that began prior to the 2024 implementation of the 'dynamic kickoff' rules, which aimed to increase the number of returns. Last season saw only six kickoff return touchdowns, while the year before had seven. In 2023, under the previous rules, there were just four.

Kickoff return touchdowns were once frequent, with over a dozen occurring each year from 2000 to 2010, peaking at 25 in 2007. However, since the kickoff was moved from the 30-yard line to the 35 in 2011, the number of touchdowns has steadily declined, with more kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Despite expectations that the dynamic kickoff would revitalize this aspect of the game, the anticipated excitement has not materialized.